Calcinosis
Calcinosis: An abnormal deposit of calcium salts in body tissues. Examples include the calcifications in the skin from scleroderma and in the muscle from polymyositis.
Read Also:
- Calcified granuloma
Calcified granuloma: A node-like type of tissue inflammation that has a specific appearance under a microscope (granuloma) and contains calcium deposits. Because it usually takes some time for calcium to be deposited in a granuloma, it is generally assumed that a calcified granuloma is an old granuloma, or an old area of inflammation. For example, […]
- Calcipotriene
Calcipotriene: A synthetic form of vitamin D3 that can be applied to the skin to treat psoriasis.
- Calcitonin
Calcitonin: A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood and promotes the formation of bone. Bone is in a constant state of remodeling. Old bone is removed by cells called osteoclasts, and new bone is added by cells called osteoblasts. Calcitonin inhibits bone removal by […]
- Calcitriol
Calcitriol: The active form of vitamin D. Calcitriol is formed in the kidneys or made in the laboratory. It is used as a drug to increase calcium levels in the body in order to treat skeletal and tissue-related calcium deficiencies caused by kidney or thyroid disorders.
- Calcium
A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is added to bone by cells called osteoblasts and removed from bone by cells called osteoclasts. Calcium is essential for healthy bones and is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, and normal blood clotting. Food sources of calcium include […]